Device for detecting incorrect ply of yarn



May 29, 1934.

E. R. SWANSON 1,960,462

DEVICE FOR DETECTINGv INCORRECT PLY 0F YARN Filed March 16 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l .24 If; g x

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May 29, 1934- E. R. SWANSON DEVICE FOR DETECTING INCORRECT PLY- OF YARN Filed March 16, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 29, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT Orrin Ernest R. Swanson, Cranston, R. I., assignmto Universal Windin corporation of Application March 16,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to the transfer of yarn and other textile materials from creels or other supply apparatus to various processes of manufacture.

The invention consists particularly in a device for detecting incorrect ply in' multiple strands, for example, doubled or folded ends delivering from supplies during a transfer operation. More specifically, the invention consists in means for detecting the absence of one or more strands or the presence of all extra strand, being adapted to operate automatically to break the yarn upon the occasion of such irregularities, but nevertheless permittingv the passage through the device of knots or other slight enlargements where the strands are spliced.

The present improved device is particularly adapted for use on magazine creels wherein the ends are delivered continuously from cones or other supply packages having the last end of one supply spliced tothe leading end of another supply in a series, such creels being employed on twister-frames and in warping or winding yarn in multiple onto spools or beams.

One object of the invention is to provide a compact and simple device of the type specified adapted to trap a snarl or bunch on the running strands caused by a broken ply or resulting from an extra ply being caught and twisted therearound.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified which operates to permit the passage of slight irregularities in the yarn such as small bunches, knots or splices without breaking the strands.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified comprising a yield- 40 able element having a slit through which the strands pass and so arranged as to yield to allow the passage of a knot but adapted to trap or catch a bunch or tangle caused by a broken strand or an extra ply caught on the running strands.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the device, by way of. example, as applied to use on a twister-frame. The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention in this form. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a part sectional end elevation of a portion of a twister-frame embodying a magazine creel for the yarn supplies and illustrating Company, Boston, Mass., a assachusetts v 1932, Serial No. 599,295

the present improved device as applied to use therewith;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the detector-device shown in combinationwith the tension and guiding-means through which the strands'lead in delivering to the twister;

Fig. 3 is a part sectional side elevation of the detector-device showing the slitted trap element or strand-catching blade in position as it yields to permit the passage of a knot through its slit Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating the manner in which a snarl or bunch caused by a broken ply is caught in the detector-device; and

Fig; 5 is a composite perspective view of the various elements of the device shown in .disassembled relationship.

Cabled or plied yarns are produced by twisting a plurality of strands together and in accordance with modern practice the strands are supplied in multiple from relatively large cones or packages wound several ends up. The strands deliver over the ends of the packages which are perferably magazined in series by tying them heel totoe so that the yarn will unwind first from one package and then from another to provide a continuous supply without stops for dofiing and re-creeling. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in maintaining all the strands running continuously as frequently an end may become broken and if not immediately discovered the strands will deliver to the twisterspindle and be incorporated in the yarn with a ply-missing. The creeled packages are arranged in close association and it frequently occurs that a broken end from one supply will be caught and twisted onto the ends leading from another supply and this extra end carried to the twisterspindle and'incorporated in the yarn produced thereon. Electric fans are-sometimes employed for setting up a current to prevent the lint and fly from lodging on the delivering ends and in such cases broken strands may be blown across adjacent running strands, causing them to be caught up thereby and carried into the yarn being produced.

The absence of one or more plies in a twisted yarn renders the latter defective and likewise the addition of an extra strand or strands in the twisting process also results in a fault or defect in the product.

The above-mentioned defects are also experienced in winding or warping yarns in multiple and it is a particular object of the present invention to provide means for trapping the broken ends during the delivery of the strands to the process in which they are being converted so as to prevent faults or defects in the resulting product. This object is accomplished by providing means'on or contiguous to the creel or other supply-holder adapted to trap the loose ends and break the several strands with which they are associated to prevent the irregularities from passing on to the product.

As an illustration of the method of applying the device to use itis herein shown and described in combination with a twister-frame of known construction. Fig. 1 of the drawings illustrates a ring-twister of conventional type having a plurality of vertical spindles arranged on its opposite sides with a creel frame located thereabove and provided with means for delivering the ends from supply packages. The twister and creel as herein shown are of substantially the" same construction as that described and illustrated in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,778,284, dated October 14, 1930.

The main frame of the twister comprises endmembers 2 and intermediate cross-frames or Samsons 3 which support the horizontal siderails 4. The side-rails 4 carry bolsters 5 for the twister-spindles 6 which are driven from a central drum or cylinder 7 by means of bands 8 passing around their whirls 9. The present carried thereon, and 12 the travelers through which the strands feed to be revolved around the spindles. Extending horizontally at either side of the frame are longitudinal roll-beams 15, to which are attached the thread-boards 16 carrying pigtail-guides 17, one for each twisterspindle. The feed-rolls for drawing the ends off from their supplies and feeding them to the twister-spindles 6 are journaled in brackets 18 mounted on the roll-beams 15 and, as herein shown, there are two bottom-rolls 19 and a toproll 20 cooperating therewith in each set. Adjacent the feed-rolls are pigtail-guides 22 for directing the ends thereto from the creel.

Any suitable form of creel may be provided for holding the supplies to deliver their multiple ends to the feed-rolls and twister-spindles. As herein illustrated the creel frame is of substantially the same arrangement as that shown in the patent above referred to, being supported from two-arm brackets 28 fastened to crossbeams 29 carried on the Samsons 3. The brackets 28 are bolted to bases 27 and have opposite arms extending outwardly with hubs 30 at their ends. Fastened in the hubs 30 are horizontally-extending pipes or rods 31 which constitute the bottom supports for the creel frame rising therefrom. The frame proper is constructed from lengths of piping with uprights 32 supported from the lower pipes 31 in any suitable manner. The upper ends of the upright pipes 32 are connected to horizontallyextending rods or pipes 34 by means of clamps 35 and extending therebetween are horizontal tie-rods 36.

The spindles or supply-holders 39 for the yarn-cones or packages C are mounted on the upright rods or pipes 32, preferably being arranged to pivot to adapt them to be swung outwardly at the sides of the machine to facilitate placing the packages thereon in re-creeling. Where the supplies are to be magazined to deliver continuously first from one package and then from another, two-supply-holders are provided for each spinning spindle, being arranged as shown and described in detail in the prior patent herein'before referred to.

The strands s from the supply cones C lead inwardly to. tension-devices 40 which are supported from central vertical rods or pipes 37 rising from the brackets 28 and fastened to the upper tie-rods 36 at 38. The tension-devices 40 may be of any preferred construction and are conveniently supported from cross-trees or brackets 41 clamped to the upright rods 37.

A preferred form of tension-device as herein illustrated comprises a cup-shaped porcelain member 45 having V-shaped notches 44 in its lateral walls through which the strands draw, see Fig. 2. A spherical weight or ball 46 enclosed within the cup is adapted to bear against the strands s drawing thereunder to press them against the concave bottom of the cup to resist their draft. The cup-members '45 are formed on the bottom with bosses 47 which fit within circular openings in horizontally-extending rests or plates 48 on the brackets 41. A finger 49 reaching up from the side of the base-plate 48 is offset to extend through one of the V-shaped notches 44 in the cup member 45 with its end overlying the top of the ball to retain the tension-device in place and also prevent the removal of the ball 46 from the cup. An arm 50 reaches out from the end of the bracket 41 and is bent around at its end to form a pigtail-guide through which the strands s lead to the tensiondevice.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings that each bracket 41 carries two tension-devices 40 arranged on the opposite sides of the supporting rod 37, each tension-device being positioned in alinement with the axis of one of the cones C to act on the strands drawing therefrom. Arranged below the rows of tension-devices 40 at either side of the rod 37 are a series of double guides 51, one for each group of strands leading from a supply. The

guides 51 consist of porcelain covered wires bent 126 into pigtail form at two points to formloops or guide-eyes 52 and 53. The guides 51 are heldbetween members 54 clamped to a horizontal rod 55 which is supported from the main brackets 28. The strands leading down from the tension-devices 40 pass through their respective guide-eyes 52 and are given a turn around the wire and then passed down through the outer eyes 53 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. From the guides 51 the strands lead to the outer guides 22 and thence draw around the feed-rolls 19 and 20 down through the guides 17 on the thread-boards to the ringtravelers 12.

Referring to Fig. 5 of the drawings the present detector-device, indicated generally by the reference character 25, comprises two main elements, a frame or bracket 60"and a slitted blade or trap-element 61 pivotally supported thereon. The frame 60 may be constructed from-sheet-metal bent to form a base 62 with a clamping portion or arm 63 rising therefrom. The clamping arm 63 is curled around to adapt it to surround a rod 64 and is extended downwardly and formed with a hole 65 through which projects a bolt 66 passing through a registering hole 67 in the upright portion of the arm. A nut 68 is screwed onto the bolt 66 to draw the two parts of the clamping arm 63 together to bind the bracket or frame-member in position on the rod 64.

A pair of rods 64 are vprovided for supporting the two series of detector-devices 25 in adjacent relation to the guides 51 which are spaced apart along the rod 55 in accordance with the spacing of the twister-spindles 6. The rods 64 are clamped to the uppersurfaces of the arms of the creel brackets 28 by means of hooked clamping members '70. The clamping members 70 are arranged with their hooked portions 71 engaging around the lower edges of the ribs of the arms on the brackets 28 with the rods resting on the top of the arms and passing through openings 72 in the clamps. Set-screws 73 threaded through the top of the clamping members 70 are set up against the ends of the rods to force them down against the brackets while binding the clamping members 70 fixedly in place thereon. The clamping members 70 may be adjusted longitudinally of the arms of the brackets 28 to locate the detector-devices 25 in proper relation to the thread-guides 51.

The bracket or frame-member 60 has its base-plate 62 cut away to form a central opening and two cars 74 bent upwardly from the edges of the opening are provided with apertures. 75 for receiving a pivot-pin 76. At the forward end of the frame-member 60 the base-plate 62 has an extension bent upwardly at substantially right-angles in the form of a triangular lip 77.

The trap-element or detector-blade 61 is preferably constructed from sheet-metal of substantially rectangular shape with two ears at the bottom curled around to provide hinges or pivot-bearings '78. The hinges '78 are adapted to straddle the two cars 74 rising from the base-plate 62 and to receive the hinge-pin or pivot 76 to pivotally mount the blade 61 on the frame-member 60. The blade 61 is formed with a central vertical. slit 80 extending from its upper edge downwardly throughout the greater portion of its length to provide a narrow passageway for the strands to draw through. The upper edge of the blade 61 is beveled or inclined downwardly from .its sides toward the slit 80 to form a re-entrant mouth or guideway leading into the slit. g

The blade 61 is pivoted on the pin '76 to extend upwardly adjacent the curved portion of the clamping arm 63 which serves as a stop therefor. The blade is permitted to rock forwardly away from the arm 63 until it brings up against the upper edge of the lip or stop 77. A helical wire spring 81 coiled around the pivot-pin 76 between the cars 74 is arranged to act against the blade 61 to normally main- .tain it bearing against the side of the clamping arm 63 on the member 60. One end of the spring 81 extends upwardly to bear against .the forward side of the blade 61 while its strands s at an angle of slightly less than ninety degrees on its rearward side, that is, its

face opposed to the direction of. feed of the strands. The proper adjustment of the parts is reached by turning the bracket 60 on its supporting rod 64 and then tightening the nut 68 on the bolt 66 to secure the bracket inflxed position. With the parts thus adjusted the device operates in the manner as next explained to trap or catch loose ends or other irregularities in the strands as they feed from their supplies to be taken up by the twisting or other operation. b

As all the detector-devices operate in the same manner it will be suillcierit-todescribe the method of functioning of one of them. Referring to Figs. 1' and 2, as the multiple strands s draw off from one of the cones C and lead through the tension-device 40 a slight resistance is applied to their draft to prevent them from tangling or snarling. From the tension-device 40 the strands s drawdown through the double pigtail-guide 51 making a wrap around the wire of the guide and leading through the outer guide-eye 53. Thence the strands lead through the slit in the pivoted detector-blade 61 in their course to the guide 22. Feeding through the guide 22 the strands pass down under one appreciable resistance to the draft. When a knot appears in the strand, which may result from the piecing up of the ends in magazining the supplies or from other causes, its passage through the slit 80 in the blade 61 will be resisted and the blade will be swung forwardly into the position illustrated in Fig. 3. As the blade 61 yields the knot slides upwardly to the open end of the slit 80, as defined by the sloping edges at the top of the blade, and is allowed to pass thereacross without obstruction. Immediately the knot has passed the blade 61 swings back into normal position under the action of the spring 81.

When a break in one of the plies of the multiple strands occurs the broken and meeting the face of the blade 61 will be held from passing through the slit '80and eventually will become tangled or twisted around the other running strands in the manner as indicated at a: in Fig. 4. This matted or tangled bunch of yarn will be drawn into the slit 80 and 'wedged tightly against the sides thereof so that the draft on the strands will be resisted to cause them to be broken to arrest the twisting or other operation performed in the machine to which the device is applied. That is to say, immediately the multiple strands are broken or parted the supply delivering to the twisting spindle is interrupted to prevent twisting the yarn or thread with an incorrect number of plies; The break in the supply to the spindle is discovered by the operator and the ends must then be pieced up and threaded through the guides and the detector-device in the manner as above explained.

.The detector-device functions in the same manner when one or more extra plies are caught on the running strands, that is to say, an extra strand picked up from an adjacent supply will coil around the running strands and tangle or bunch thereon in such manner as to cause it to be wedged in the slit in the blade 61 to eventually result in the rupture of the strands. Thus the action of the detector or trap device prevents an extra strand or strands from feeding to the twisting spindle to cause an enlargement or irregularity in the yarn due to the added ply.

The present improved device is extremely sensitive and prompt in action to detect irregularities in the multiple strands passing therethrough whereby it acts positively to break the strands to guard against an incorrect number of plies being incorporated in the yarn. The device is simple in structure and proof against derangement or getting out of order and, being economical to manufacture, may be used in large numbers as required. on the creels for twisting frames or other apparatus operating on a multiplicity of ends.

The device may be applied to uses other than that herein shown, that is, for detecting irregularities in a supply of strands leading from a creel of any type for delivery to winding, reeling, warping, or other processes in the textile art.

While the invention is herein shown and described as embddied in a preferred from of construction it is obvious that various. modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. A device of the type specified comprising a pivoted blade formed with a slit providing a passage for a plurality of strands to draw through, and means for yieldingly resisting movement of the blade on its pivot to cause it to act to trap snarls and bunches in the slit while permitting it to be moved to incline it to the direction of draft of the strands to release knots too large to pass through the slit.

2, In a device of the type specified, the combination of a support, a slitted blade pivoted to rock on said support and arranged at substantially right-angles to the course of a plurality of strands drawing through its slit, means to limit the rocking movement of the blade on it: pivot, and a spring for resisting the rocking movement of the blade but yieldable when the blade is engaged by a knot to permit said blade to rock into position inclined to the path of the strands to free the knot therefrom.

3. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a member having a base and spaced stops projecting upwardly therefrom, a blade pivoted on the base of said member to adapt it to rock between limits imposed by the stops and having a slit through which a plurality of strands feed. and a spring for pressing the blade against one of its stops, said spring being yieldable when the blade is engaged by a knot to adapt "the blade to be swung into position inclined to the path of the strands to free the knot from its slit.

4. In a device of the type specified, the com bination of a support, a blade pivoted on said support and formed with a slit through which a plurality of strands feed, means on the support for limiting the swinging movement of the blade on its pivot, and a spring acting on the blade to maintain it bearing against one of the limiting means in position substantially perpendicular to the course of the strands feeding through its slit, said spring being yieldable when the blade is engaged by a knot to adapt the blade to be swung into inclined position to release the knot.

5. A device of the type specified comprising a support, a blade pivoted to said support and formed with a slit through which strands may feed, stops on the support for limiting the swinging movement of the blade on its pivot, and resilient means for maintaining the blade in engagement with one of the stops in position at substantially right-angles to the path of the strands feeding through the slit in the blade while resisting its movement toward the opposite stop.

6. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a sheet-metal bracket formed with a base having upstanding pierced ears, said bracket having a curved clamping portion and a. lip on the base arranged opposite the clamping portion, a slitted blade having hinge members straddling the ears on the bracket, a pin extending through said hinge members and the ears on the bracket to pivot the blade thereto, and a helical spring surrounding the pin and acting against the lip and blade to normally hold the latter tilted rearwardly against the clamp portion of the bracket.

7. In a device for detecting incorrect ply in a plurality of running strands, the combination of a rockable member having a slit through which the strands draw, and resilient means for rocking said member, and means opposed to the action of the resilient means for normally maintaining said member in position at subrtantially right-angles to the path of travel of the strands, whereby it will act to catch the end of a broken strand, said resilient means being yieldable to permit the member to be rocked when engaged by a knot to incline said member into position to permit the knot to slide out of its slit without breaking the strands.

8. In a device for detecting incorrect ply in. multiple strands of yarn, the combination of a pivoted member having an opening through which the strands draw, a stop for limiting the pivotal movement of said member, and means for holding said member against its stop to maintain it in position normally at substantially right-angles to the path of travel of the strands drawing through its opening, said means being yieldable to permit said member to be rocked when engaged by a knot to move it into a position inclined to the path of travel of the strands to cause the knot to ride out of its opening. ERNEST R. SWANSON. 

